The Peruvian Air Force will receive three Russian Mi-171Sh Hip combat helicopters next week for military operations in Peru, Defence Minister Jaime Thorne has said.

“Three Russian C helicopters will be delivered to Peru on 9 and 10 May and then sent to fight illegal drugs trafficking in the Valley of the Apurimac and Ene River,” he added.

The delivery follows the $108m contract signed between Rosoboronexport and the Peruvian Defence Ministry in July 2010 for six Mi-171Sh Hip transport and two Mi-35P Hind E attack helicopters.

Peru expects the remaining three helicopters to be delivered by the end of this year.

Russia had delivered two disassembled Mi-35P Hind E attack helicopters to Peru last month, according to RIA Novosti.